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President Barack Obama to promote the late Colonel
Charles Young, a Buffalo solider, to the honorary rank of Brigadier
General

CALIFORNIA
--
In honor of Black History Month 2013, The National Coalition of
Black Veterans Organizations has come together to advocate for the
promotion of the late Colonel Charles Young, the legendary Buffalo
Soldier who was medically discharged from the United States Army on
January 22, 1917. Colonel Charles Young was recalled in 1918 in the
grade of colonel after riding 500 miles to demonstrate his fitness
to serve on active military duty. The Veterans have drafted a letter
(See attached letter with Resolutions) requesting that the
President issue a Proclamation elevating Colonel Young to the
honorary rank of Brigadier General during Black History Month 2013.

The
National Coalition of Black Veterans have stated in their letter to
President Obama: “We are firm in our belief that the honor we are
seeking on his behalf was earned over a career that spanned more
than thirty-two years of honorable service to our nation (1889 -
1922). We are joined in this request by resolutions from the
Commonwealth of Kentucky House of Representatives (the birth state
of Colonel Young), the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, the
Council of the District of Columbia and the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People.”

As the
third Black cadet to graduate from the United
States Military Academy at West Point, Colonel Young’s
accomplishments were numerous. They included becoming the first
Black military attache, the first Black Superintendent of a National
Park, and the first Black soldier promoted to both the ranks of
Lieutenant Colonel as well as Colonel. He also distinguished himself
in command positions during the Philippine
Insurrection and General Pershings Punitive Expedition. During the
latter event, his courageous actions under fire resulted in the
rescue of the 13th Cavalry. Colonel Young was the highest ranking
African American in the military at the outset of the First World
War and until his death in 1922. Colonel Young unfortunately lived
during an era of racial inequities, which prevented him from leading
combat troops during the First World War. This impacted his
opportunity for the promotion we are seeking on his behalf.

Above all,
The National Coalition of Black Veterans recognize that “this
request is a small measure compared to many of the items that demand
the President’s attention. Although symbolic in nature, it is
important because it fills an important void in the legacy of black
participation and accomplishments in American Military History. We
ask that the President’s contribution to the process come in the
form of the honorary promotion we are seeking for Colonel Charles
Young.”